The Australian cricketers participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 have safely returned home following the tournament's suspension amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan.

Following the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision to temporarily suspend the IPL 2025, franchises began disbanding, and players and staff booked flights out of India. The match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala was abandoned, adding to the uncertainty and distress among players.

Cricket Australia (CA) has been in constant communication with the players, providing support and monitoring the situation closely. Todd Greenberg, the CEO of Cricket Australia, affirmed that the safety and welfare of players and staff remained the top priority. He also stated that CA is working closely with the Australian Government, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and the BCCI.

Reports indicate that some Australian players were anxious about their safety, particularly those near sensitive border areas, and were keen to leave India as soon as possible. Some players were reportedly booking their own tickets to return home.

There is uncertainty among the Australian players regarding the resumption of the IPL 2025 and whether they will return to participate in the remaining matches. According to The West Australian, the players boarded flights out of India on Saturday and are unlikely to return for the IPL. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that some players were left shaken and unsure about returning to India.

Several factors could influence their decision. Firstly, the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan have raised safety concerns. Secondly, the IPL window is set to conclude on May 25, after which the Australian team will begin preparations for the World Test Championship final against South Africa, scheduled to start on June 11. This leaves little time for players to participate in the IPL and then adequately prepare for the Test Championship final.

Moreover, the positions of their respective teams in the IPL standings may also play a role. With some teams, such as Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals, and Chennai Super Kings, already out of contention for the playoffs, players from those teams may be less inclined to return.

Despite the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, mediated by the United States, violations of the agreement have been reported, particularly along the Line of Actual Control (LOC) in Jammu and Kashmir. This ongoing instability may further deter players from returning.

The BCCI is reportedly considering alternative venues for the remaining IPL matches, including cities in South India such as Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad, which are farther from the Pakistan border. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has also offered to host the remaining matches.

Cricket Australia has promised to support players who are reluctant to return to India if the IPL 2025 resumes. This support includes providing them with the latest information and risk assessments, as well as respecting their individual decisions. CA recognizes that the decision to return to India will be a personal one, based on each player's comfort level and assessment of the risks involved.